Monday, February 24, 2014

[MWC 2014] Sony unveils the Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet and Xperia M2


Mobile World Congress is happening as we speak in Barcelona and Sony has wasted no time in making a huge splash by unveiling the Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet and Xperia M2. The Xperia Z2 is as expected the successor to the Xperia Z1. It falls right in the wheelhouse of the leaks we've been seeing in the past few months. The Xperia Z2 Tablet like the Z2 is the successor to the Xperia Z Tablet. Finally the Xperia M2 is the successor to the Xperia M.

The Xperia Z2, on paper, is a modest bump up in specs to the well received Z1 with a 5.2 inch Full HD 1080p Display, 2.3GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 process (first in a smartphone), Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 3200mAh battery, 20.7MP camera with 4K capabilities.

The Xperia Z2 Tablet is a much more significant bump in specs as the Z Tablet was sporting the similar specs to the Z rather than the Z1. With a 10.1 inch Full HD 1920x1200 Display, 2.3GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 process (first in a tablet), Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM.

Finally the Xperia M2 is much more subdued with its 4.8-inch 540 x 960 (qHD) display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 8MP camera and 2300mAh battery.

Global availability is set for March for the Z2 and April for the M2 but no word on official Canadian availability, carriers or pricing, but we would be awfully surprised not to see all three devices hit the Canadian market in some way. In the mean time check out the official press releases, videos and press images after the break.


















Sony introduces Xperia™ Z2, its new premium flagship waterproof smartphone with best ever display, 4K recording and Digital Noise Cancelling technology

February 24, 2014

24th February 2014, MWC, Barcelona – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces Xperia™ Z2, Sony’s best ever premium waterproof smartphone combining its best display, sound, camera and camcorder experience as well as an exclusive entertainment offer and a growing ecosystem of companion products. Xperia Z2 is the newest addition to Sony’s premium Z series and will launch globally from March 2014.



“With Xperia Z2 we have taken our premium Z series to the next level, delivering unique experiences that only Sony can offer,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, President and CEO, Sony Mobile Communications. “We have redefined the smartphone once again through our camera. Xperia Z2 offers an innovative experience that captures memories in stunning detail through 4K video shooting, or offers new ways to use the camera with our unique Xperia camera apps. Furthermore, the Best of Sony has been delivered in the sound quality and customers are now able to listen to their music even in noisy environments without interruptions thanks to our acclaimed digital noise cancelling technology.”

The world’s best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone1

Capture and relive every detail with Xperia Z2’s camera and camcorder. Xperia Z2 features Sony’s proven camera technologies to deliver the unbeatable combination of the world’s best mobile camera and our most advanced camcorder ever in and 8.2 mm slim smartphone. The 20.7 megapixel camera is matched with 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor, Sony’s award-winning G Lens and intelligent BIONZ™ for mobile image processing engine resulting in superb photo and video quality.
These features work together to bring you sharp, vivid and beautiful photos and videos no matter what the circumstances. With new enhanced video mode, you can now capture memories in stunning detail in 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels/30p) at four times the detail of Full HD, delivering the world’s best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone1. Plus, SteadyShot™ image stabilisation technology ensures your footage will stay smooth even if you are walking. The new Movie Creator allows you to trim and crop your videos so that you can easily pick out what you want to share. Insert dramatic slowdown effects at one or more places on the timeline of the video, then preview the results before you save and share your video.
The best video deserves the best sound. The compact and innovative STM10 Stereo Microphoneoffers high quality stereo audio recording. Compact and easy to carry, it’s the perfect match for Xperia Z2’s 4K video recording.

The smartest smartphone around with a growing ecosystem of Xperia camera apps

Enhance your mobile experience with a growing range of innovative Xperia camera apps. In addition to Info-eye™, Social live and Timeshift burst, Xperia Z2 also comes pre-loaded with new Xperia camera apps for both photo and video.
  • Timeshift video: To relive every moment of the action in slow motion detail, the new Timeshift video mode lets you shoot in 120 frames per second and select scenes to slow the playback speed for dramatic slow motion effects exactly where you want, even underwater.
  • Creative effect: Use a range of new creative effects for your photos and videos. Available in real-time for video, these adjustments enhance your clips with a range of effects such as colours, image trails, mirror and motion effects.
  • Background defocus: This new camera app simulates a shallow depth of field. Capture two photos at different focus settings and blend together the different depths, leading to a blurred out background for more professional looking photos.
  • AR effect: Now available for video recording, have some fun with your photos and videos with new augmented reality animations, including sound effects for video.
  • Vine4: Create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way for your friends and family to see – all from your camera’s viewfinder. Plus, using the dedicated camera button, you can capture Vine videos underwater as well.
In addition to these fun and useful pre-loaded Xperia camera applications, there’s a whole range of extra apps for you to enjoy including Wikitude Places, Evernote, VI Sports and more.  Simply go into your camera viewfinder, tap the camera mode icon and then click on ‘+Apps’ to see all the latest apps available on Sony Select to enhance your smartphone experience.

Our best design with our highest level of waterproofing

The Xperia Z2 Android smartphone is designed with the user in mind, drawing on Sony’s expertise in premium craftsmanship. Evolving Sony’s stunning OmniBalance design, Xperia Z2 has a slimmer and more comfortable feel by having the glass panels encased in a single, solid aluminium frame with smoother edges. This dust-resistant and waterproof (IP55 & IP58) powerhouse blends beauty with function. The dedicated camera button means that you’re ready to capture the action wherever you are – both in and out of the water. Plus, the stunning 5.2” display, balanced with symmetry in design, provides a natural feel when held in your hand.

Bringing the viewing experience to life in bright and vivid detail

To enjoy the latest content in stunning quality and vivid colour, Xperia Z2’s screen is built using the latest BRAVIA® TV technologies optimised for mobile. The 5.2” Full HD TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile with Live Colour LED provides the widest palate of rich natural colours for the sharpest images and a viewing experience that is as close to reality as possible.
Natural colours true to life can be difficult to reproduce on a display. TRILUMINOSTM Display for mobile with brand new Live Colour LED uses red & green phosphor with blue LEDs and customised colour filters to produce a brighter and more uniform light. The result is richer colours on the screen for all of your smartphone viewing without the risk of saturation.
Sony’s intelligent super resolution technology, X-Reality for mobile, analyses each image to optimise colours, sharpness and contrast while also reducing noise. The super resolution function reproduces lacking pixels for spectacular clarity and detail.

Entertainment without interruption

To enjoy with the best display and a wide range of entertainment, Xperia Z2 also offers amazing sound quality with stereo speaker output and Sony’s digital noise cancelling technology.
Whether you’re on a plane or in on the bus, enjoy music on the go without the interruption of background noise. Our digital noise cancelling technology and dynamic sound in Xperia Z2 helps reduce up to 98% of ambient noise, when used with the compact in-ear MDR NC31EM DigitalNoise Cancelling Headset. Or, immerse yourself in entertainment with S-Force Front Surround™ to enjoy the latest movies, gaming and music on your Xperia Z2.

Music, movies and more – out of the box and at your fingertips

With Xperia Z2, you also get a range of entertainment right from the moment you turn your smartphone on. Xperia Z2 owners will have access to an exclusive content offer that includes six blockbuster movies from Sony Pictures, including Captain Phillips, through the Video Unlimited service as well as 30 days free trial of the Music Unlimited3 service and a range of PlayStation®Mobile games.
This exclusive out of the box content offer is available on Xperia Z2 through Sony’s range of integrated entertainment apps with a new and intuitive user interface:
  • “What’s New” app helps you discover new and recommended movies, music, games and apps for enjoyment on your Xperia Z2 – all accessible from an informative and interactive widget on the home screen.
  • “WALKMAN®” and Movies applications provide access to a global catalogue of more than 25 million songs on the “WALKMAN®” app through the Music Unlimited4 service and tens of thousands of movies and TV series on the Movies app through the Video Unlimited5 service from Sony Entertainment Network.
  • PlayStation® App gives you the chance to enjoy an enhanced gaming experience – keeping you connected to your gaming friends and the games you love to play.
  • PlayMemories Online5 – a cloud-based image and video service that is integrated into the Album application. A new ‘All Sync’ feature enables users to instantly auto-upload all of their photos without storage limitation5 to enjoy on all your devices.
  • TrackIDTM TV6- enhances your TV-viewing experience as it lets you search, share and explore information from broadcasted TV shows such as cast & crew, biographies, filmography or show related Tweets.

Enjoy ultra-fast performance with a battery you can rely on

Xperia Z2 is armed with the power to multi-task and enjoy everything from super-fast web surfing to video streaming without the wait. With the fully integrated Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 processor with 2.3 GHz quad-core Krait CPUs and 4G LTE, Xperia Z2 offers ultra-fast performance for the apps and entertainment you want to enjoy, without the interruptions. The Snapdragon 801 also features the Adreno™ 330 GPU for rich graphics and gaming and a dual ISP for a seamless camera, camcorder and display experience.
Xperia Z2 also includes a large 3200 mAh battery which provides outstanding, class-leading battery performance. Plus, with Sony’s Battery STAMINA Mode, you can stay connected even longer, as it automatically turns off the functions you don’t need to save power when your display is inactive. As soon as you press the power button to wake up your screen, everything is up and running again.

Unrivalled ecosystem of companion products and smart accessories, including SmartWear

Sony offers the most comprehensive range of innovative companion products and accessories to give you new ways to use and enjoy your smartphone. With 154 NFC enabled one-touch connected products – including TVs, headphones, audio speakers, tablets, and more – it has never been easier to connect and enjoy your content across multiple devices.
The SmartBand SWR10 works with Xperia Z2 to log your life in partnership with the Lifelog application, creating an automatic 24/7 diary of your activities, entertainment and memories. Plus, with SmartBand you’ll never need to worry about losing your phone or missing a call with a series of customisable smart notifications delivered straight to your wrist.
The Xperia Z2 will launch globally from March 2014.


Introducing Xperia™ M2, the best smartphone technology in its class1

February 24, 2014

24th February 2014, Barcelona, Spain – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces Xperia™ M2, the 4G LTE smartphone that offers blockbuster entertainment and flagship experiences at a mid-range price point, thanks to a best-in-class processor, our display expertise, a razor sharp 8MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile and Sony’s music and video entertainment.
Xperia M2 is an ultra fast smartphone that offers brilliant specs and performance, reaching new audiences with a mid-range price. This is a great device for the customer looking for a smartphone that has it all,” says Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. “It combines the best of Sony, bringing you our latest technologies complimented with a one of its kind, unique entertainment offer never before seen on a mid-range smartphone.”

A mid-range smartphone with the best technology in its class1

Xperia M2 showcases high quality technology at an affordable price. Sony’s OmniBalance design as found on Sony’s premium smartphone range, an ultra-fast processor and a large qHD display, combine to create brilliant all-round performance, whilst the unique Xperia camera, music and movie apps offer stunning entertainment experiences.

Entertainment everywhere, right out of the box

Xperia M2 offers a world of media apps for seamless entertainment, online and offline with Sony Entertainment Network5, paired with the best content offer available for a mid-range smartphone. Xperia M2 users will have the chance to enjoy the latest films out of the box with three digital downloads of the hottest blockbusters from Sony Pictures, such as Captain Phillips and White House Down. Through the Music Unlimited service, Xperia M2 users can access a catalogue of 25 million songs for free for 30 days, while the Video Unlimited service offers instant movie blockbusters on a smartphone6. A range of PlayStation®Mobile games will also be included.

The best smartphone camera in its class3

With the highest resolution camera in its clas7, the stunning 8MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile comes armed with Autoscene Recognition and HDR. Using the expertise and technology of Sony’s Cyber-shot cameras, Xperia M2 is perfect for capturing all of your favourite moments in brilliant quality.
For even more fun, unique Xperia camera apps such as Social live, Timeshift burst and Picture Effect help users to get the most out of Xperia M2’s quality 8MP camera.
To offer a unique and seamless experience direct from the camera’s viewfinder, Sony is also working with third party developers to offer a growing range of new Xperia camera apps. To download more Xperia camera apps such as Vine, V1 Sports and FX Guru, simply go into your camera viewfinder and then click on ‘+Apps’ to see all the latest apps available on Sony Select to enhance your smartphone experience.

Brilliant performance and speed that goes on forever

Sony’s engineering expertise in display and camera technologies collide to create Xperia M2. The large 4.8” qHD display, carefully crafted with our display expertise is perfect for enjoying entertainment content on the largest qHD display in its class6.
Being the world’s slimmest 4G smartphone in its class2Xperia M2 combines the ultra-fast Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 400 processor with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance and a 2300mAh battery with STAMINA Mode 3.0. Ideal for long days of heavy usage, Xperia E3 provides speed and durability for users on-the-go.

The slimmest 4G smartphone in its class2

All this premium technology is housed in a thin and light smartphone that fits perfectly in your hand. Xperia M2 is available in three distinct colour options: black, white and purple.

Dual SIM, no compromise 

Xperia M2’s dual-SIM variant, Xperia M2dual8, is a fast mobile phone that offers a new experience through the incorporation of Sony’s latest generation of dual-SIM technology. Users can set up both SIM cards independently with custom ring tones and easily choose between SIMs before making calls or sending texts, whilst Sony’s dual SIM management technology means that users can keep both SIMs active and never miss a call, even when talking on one of them.

Perfect partners

Xperia M2 connects users via Bluetooth to Sony’s extended ecosystem of 154 one-touch compatible products with NFC technology. Music enthusiasts can enjoy tunes wirelessly via NFC using SBH20 Stereo Bluetooth Headset or plugged-in with part in-ear and water-resistant Stereo Headset STH30.
Whichever accessories you choose, Xperia M2 remains at the heart of your connected entertainment experience.
Xperia M2 will launch globally from April 2014.


Source: Sony (1), (2), (3), (4), (5)

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